Support for cannabis trials - survey

[WantDaChronic]

MOST Australians would support clinical trials of cannabis for medical use, a new survey has found.

 

More than 23,000 people over the age of 12 were quizzed about their personal use and attitudes to drugs for the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

 

Almost 50 per cent of respondents said they would support regulated heroin injecting rooms.

 

The nationwide survey found overwhelming support for legalising cannabis for medical reasons, backed by nearly 70 per cent, while approval of clinical trials for cannabis approached 75 per cent.

 

Most people also looked favourably on needle and syringe programs, supported by more than 65 per cent.

 

When it came to tobacco, there was firm support across the board for bans on smoking in workplaces, pubs and clubs.

 

More than 80 per cent of Australians wanted smoking banned in the workplace, with Canberrans most strongly in favour at close to 85 per cent.

 

And more than 75 per cent of respondents wanted smoking banned from pubs and clubs.

 

On alcohol, the survey found 80 per cent of Australians also wanted tougher bans on drink driving, but there was far less support for tax hikes.

 

Less than a quarter of respondents supported a hike on alcohol prices.

 

But around 40 per cent would support a hike if the funding was used for drinking education programs.

 

Around 45 per cent of Australians wanted the legal drinking age lifted, with Queenslanders the most supportive of the idea.

 

Respondents over the age of 14 were also asked about personal drug use.

 

Tasmania had the highest proportion of males who smoked daily, with about 25 per cent admitting to the habit.

 

People who had never smoked were most prominent in the ACT, accounting for around 58 per cent.

 

The Northern Territory had the highest rate of female smokers, at more than 22 per cent, while South Australia and NSW tied in first place for females who had never smoked, with 61 per cent.

 

Alcohol consumption was highest among males in the Northern Territory and females in Western Australia, while NSW had the most non-drinkers among males and females, at 10 and 15 per cent respectively.

 

Overall, around 20 per cent of males and 15 per cent of females used marijuana in the 12 months before the survey.

 

Northern Territory had the highest consumption rate for males (18 per cent) and females (nine per cent).

The ACT had the lowest percentage of male users, at around 10 per cent, and NSW was the lowest for females, at around five per cent.

 

The NT also led in consumption of illicit drugs other than cannabis, with rates of six per cent for males and females.

 

At the other end of the scale, only three per cent of Tasmanian males and four per cent of NSW females had used such drugs.

 

good on the kids for having open minds, lets just hope that the old ignorant politicians start doing the same

[torture]

wont happen until our stupid politicians start to be replaced with the next generation... anyone over 40 in politics at the moment should be sacked... and we should just start again... wishful thinking i guess

[ianTE]

I believe that cannabis wont get a foot in the parliament door while this country is run by Alcoholics.

 

Why can MP's go to parliament house be it state or in canberra and get pissed. Why have a bar serving alcohol

to the people we entrust to run our country. Like them to put a bar at the local bus transit depot.

 

The MP's are to comfortable with their way of life to change.

wont happen until our stupid politicians start to be replaced with the next generation...

One would of thought that Peter Garrett would have been a next gen pollie but how quick he has learnt to

tow the party line.....

 

Good to see a lot of people support MJ for medical use though.

[Infinitee]

Whoever said that politics is always ten years behind public opinion, was off by a long shot

 

♫ Their views may change if we all walk this way

♪ The youth steer the ship, as this generation fades

 

[grace]

good on the kids for having open minds, lets just hope that the old ignorant politicians start doing the same

 

 

Thanks for the posting WDC ...

 

Details of the survey have been reported in Murdoch and Fairfax newspapers.

It's a good change from the reefer madness stories of late.

 

 

Support for clinical trials of cannabis

August 29, 2008

<http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24259178-23289,00.html>

 

Happy enough to puff

29 August 2008

Sydney morning herald

<http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/newspapers-nominated/2008/08/28/1219516662687.html>

 

Most Australians would support clinical trials of cannabis for medical use, a new survey has found. More than 23,000 people over the age of 12 were quizzed about their personal use and attitudes to drugs for the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.